September 7, 2017 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
A meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council scheduled to begin next week in Charleston, South Carolina has been postponed due to the increased threat of Hurricane Irma. The meeting has been rescheduled for September 25 – 29, 2017 and will take place at the same location: Town & Country Inn, 2008 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407.
The week-long meeting agenda will include a scheduled meeting of the Full Council on Monday, September 25, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. to address red snapper management issues including options to allow a season in 2018 and possible emergency action to allow for a limited harvest in 2017. Public comment sessions will be hosted on Monday at 10:15 a.m. (red snapper) and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The Council meeting will continue from Tuesday through Friday with various committee meetings and another meeting of the Full Council before ending on Friday, September 29th.
“Given the magnitude of Hurricane Irma and the threat to Florida and the entire east coast, a decision has been made to postpone the Council meeting”, said Council Executive Director Gregg Waugh. “Many of our Council members and constituents are currently making evacuation plans as this very powerful storm continues it’s path towards the U.S. We want to encourage everyone to take the appropriate precautions and put safety first as this storm approaches.”
Written public comment will continue to be accepted through 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25th (red snapper) and through 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 28th (all other agenda items). Meeting information and updates will be posted on the Council’s website at: http://safmc.net/2017-september-council-meeting/.